Hope:

Day One of a 14-day study refreshing our hearts with the powerful truths of the gospel.

Lamentations 3:22-24 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

Why is it so important to refresh our souls with the gospel?

The “Gospel” means “good news”. Think about when someone has brought you “good news” in a situation. Did it offer hope? Encouragement? The gospel offers hope. Without hope, we quickly can become discouraged and defeated. Proverbs 13:12 says “hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

What are you putting your hope in today? Are you putting your hope in how well your day goes? In your own performance? In how others treat you? These hopes will inevitably let us down.

In Lamentations 3 we read how Jeremiah put his hope in the Lord. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”

His hope was in the steadfastness of the love of God. His hope was in the enduring, eternal mercies of God. His hope was in the trustworthy, dependable faithfulness of God.

Jeremiah’s heart rejoiced in the character of God and the incredible gift of knowing Him. “The Lord is my portion.” We have been given Christ! What more could we ask for? “Therefore- I will hope in him.”

It was a choice for Jeremiah and it is a choice for us. What will we hope in today?

“We have this hope as an anchor for our souls, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19a. Hope in the very presence of God. A sure hope in Jesus Himself.

Questions for further reflection: What am I hoping in today? How does the gospel breathe hope into my situation? What verse will I recall when I’m tempted to lose hope?

Dear Father God, I praise you for your steadfast love, your unending mercies, and great faithfulness. I choose to hope in YOU today. Teach me to place my hope in your character, your promises, and your plan. Let my life speak words of hope to others as I rejoice in who You are.